Get Your House Ready for a New Pet

Before you bring a new animal into your home, make sure your house is pet-ready. Take a tour around your home and yard with your parents, using this as a checklist:

Are there any holes, broken concrete, drains, or swimming pools that your pet could fall into or get stuck in? They need to be fixed before your pet arrives.

Are there any gaps in the fence, or a broken gate, that might allow your new pet to get out of your yard?

Are there any poisons, like snail bait, antifreeze, or other toxic chemicals just sitting out? These things are super-poisonous to animals. Make sure containers are stored away in locked cupboards far out of reach.

Check for dangling electrical cords in the house or outside. Puppies, kittens, and rodents love to chew them, thinking they're toys. Cover cords or tape them down with industrial tape.

How about your toys? Do you have any Legos or other small pieces lying around that an animal could choke on? Keep your things out of reach of little paws.

What about stuff that breaks? If you don't want something to get knocked over or stepped on - maybe your mom's valuable vase or your favorite model airplane - put it up high or away for a little while.